The Lagos state Task Force has explained why it impounded motorcycles from riders in the state.
Previously, the Task Force officials had seized about 74 commercial motorcycles from its riders.
They however met with strong resistance as the cyclists took to the roads in a violent protest against the seizure of their bikes.
They wrecked havoc at the Second Rainbow area in Amuwo Odofin LGA along Oshodi-Apapa expressway.
The angry motorcyclists blocked the expressway, making bonfires.
This led to a complete breakdown of law and order around the area which quickly spread to the Coker and Mile 2 axis of Apapa/Oshodi expressway, causing heavy traffic.
Speaking on the incident, the head of Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Task Force, Adebayo Taofiq, stated that the operatives of the agency acted “based on series of complaints received from the public about activities of Okada riders using their bikes to rob them of their valuables and plying restricted routes”.
He said, ”After impounding no fewer than 74 Okada caught plying one-way and those operating on highway, Okada riders mobilised themselves and attacked officers of the agency.
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“They damaged beyond repair two of our vehicles with one of our trucks. A paramilitary officer attached to the Agency (Ganiyu Mustapha) was wounded with broken bottles and cutlass because he mistakenly ran into the mob.
“Since the EndSARS protest, motorists, including Okada riders, operate with impunity, thereby, causing serious traffic gridlock across the State”.
Speaking further on the situation, Taofiq said Okada leaders made it known that the defaulters were not responsible for any association in the state.
“We had a stakeholders’ meeting with their Okada leaders and they made us understand that all those flagrantly disobeying the laws are not responsible for any association in Lagos.
“We must all join hands to salvage the state from the hands of these notorious criminals who use Okada to perpetuate evil”, he said.